A coalition of executives from U.S. cheese companies arrived in Washington, D.C., this week to meet face to face with top administration and congressional leaders and stress urgent action on the most pressing policy area to the industry: global trade.

The group thanked the administration for working to preserve and open dairy market access in the new trilateral trade pact with Canada and Mexico announced this week but stressed that any gains won’t be realized unless American steel and aluminum tariffs, and the resulting retaliations on U.S. cheese exports, are lifted. The leaders also called for proactive trade actions that would defend U.S. companies’ use of common cheese names abroad and secure bilateral trade agreements with key countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I can’t think of a more critical moment than now for a powerful team of IDFA cheese company members to band together, calling for trade actions that will place them on a level playing field with global competitors,” said Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy. “Cheese companies in the United States rely on trade to succeed. With more than 95 percent of our potential customers living outside our borders, expanding access to international markets is essential for our future success.”

The cheese executives also urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would ensure that “natural cheese” retains its historic meaning and helps consumers identify “natural cheese” from “process cheese.” The group told senators that U.S. cheese companies have been using the term “natural cheese” for decades, and that enacting a bill is necessary to help prevent consumer confusion.

A Packed Schedule

The cheese company executives met with top leadership in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as well as senators key to trade issues and several that have cheese company constituents. They include:

Press Briefing

Three of the leaders kicked-off Wednesday morning with a press briefing. Ahlem of Hilmar Cheese, Ryan of Darigold and Sartori of Satori Company outlined the importance of progressive trade agreements to the health of the U.S. dairy industry and demonstrated the impact that dairy exports have on their states and the economy overall.